Eleven on Ten

(For Abhiir at 10-11)

Last year for Christmas, we wanted to play ‘ Secret Santa’ within the family especially to teach everyone to think about what the other person may actually like to receive as a gift and not just to think about what they want as their own gift!

We decided on a fair maximum amount of AED 60 for everyone, so that its neither too less, nor too much for the kids to handle. The game was mainly to see how much does one really know their family member? About likes and dislikes, colour preferences and so on.

We rolled the chits and got the name of the member we were supposed to buy the gift for. We went together on the holiday of December 25th to a mall. We decided to disperse, shop and meet again in the atrium in next one hour, with the gifts , and then to have lunch together.

This time Abhiir, my gen alpha boy, had got my name on the chit he picked. He insisted on going to the shop of his choice alone to pick the gift. We were all in the same mall on the same floor , so we allowed him.

Now getting a gift for your mother is the most difficult one for a ten year old boy. He asked AI for ideas! Obviously. AI suggested jewellery, flowers, perfume. So now the challenge of getting all that in AED 60 was the big one.

He did an online research (the night before) and looked for how to fit jewellery and perfume in that amount. He noted the suggestions down(on a piece of notebook paper in neat handwriting :) and carried some change from his coin purse, so as not to fall short of a few dirhams to not be able to pick the right gift!

I am sure AI asked him , what theme may your mother like? I am sure he said floral.

So he shortlisted a pair of floral earrings and a pendant set and an orchid perfume, from the suggested shop, that would fit in the given budget. He showed his neat notes to the kind lady at the shop and she helped him find the things and gift-wrapped them for him. The man with a mission was on his way out from the shop, where he met the older brother, Arhaant , who asked him what he had got for Amma.

The 15 year old said, of course Amma has a very specific taste in jewellery and she may not like the gift. But our Gen Alpha hero did not get dejected. He was very confident about his choice and his approach towards shortlisting the right gift for his mother. He said, I am sure she will like it!

We met in the atrium. Abhiir had a big toothy grin. He gave me the gift. I opened it. Arhaant kept saying, I bet, She wont like it...

But when I saw the handwritten notes about the floral earrings set and the orchid perfume, I couldnt hold back my tears! Abhiir had actually treated this exercise like a school project. He said, because of Amaira and her red hibiscus, he was absolutely sure I would like something floral. Arhaant kept saying, Amma never wears such earrings. But I said, this time Amma will wear these earrings! If they are handpicked with love, so carefully, systematically by her ten year old son, who did so much research and hard work for the gift, how could any Amma not like it!

I wore the earrings, the pendant and the perfume for Abhiir’s yr6 graduation to honour not just the gift, but his confidence on his choice and the effort he took in selecting the gift. I still have that handwritten note describing the brand name of the floral earrings set and the orchid perfume. It was four dirhams more than the decided amount, for which he had carried the coins! I will always keep the note and remember this incident with a proud teary smile.

I do believe, the kids of this generation know how to use technology much better than us millennials!

Later, I asked Arhaant what he would have got for me, if my name had been on his chit?

He said, I know you are very selective in your taste. Its not easy to find something that you will definitely like. So I would have brought real flowers - a bouquet of red and white roses or lilies and dark chocolate, all to fit perfectly in that budget. Nothing can go wrong there. I smiled to myself. He does know me too well...

But still, sometimes something offbeat, done with maximum love and belief may just bend all the rules for the mother within...

Now I understand when they say, its the process that’s more important than the end product. 

Dear Abhiir, 

I will never forget your sweet, meticulous gesture at the age of ten. Eleven on ten for that!

:: Gift and the handwritten note :: 

:: I wore it at the graduation!::

Past Phew Months

(For Arhaant at 16)

If someone had told us last year that the grade 10 board exams were going to be cancelled next year because of the War, we would have laughed! But here we are now, actually been through that situation! It's true. Sometimes what we worry about never really happens. And what we never even think about even in our wildest dreams, may actually happen!

After several weeks of cancelling, rescheduling, postponing and being on hold half-way through, the exams are finally done! These mock exams were treated as the final exams this year and the scores from these exams will be the final result. Fair enough.

In the earlier months of alarms and apprehension, I can’t imagine how these fifteen year olds must have felt! After much ado about the importance of these exams, the real deal happened in a much different setting. Many years later , these gen Z people would be telling the younger lot about the exam fiasco in “ their time” due to war, similar to how our grandparents talk about Independence and Partition or how our parents talk about floods and earthquakes of their time!

I definitely brag about having written my second book through COVID days and having started on my third through the uncertain war times!

The past “phew” months have tested most of us to the highest points of tolerance and patience, being on stand-by mode for the longest periods of time. As if being a parent to teens was not enough. However, the homeschooling bit this time was much easier to navigate than the COVID times. But exams are something my mind is accustomed to stress about.

During my tenth grade board exams, I used to ask my mother if I had studied well. She would just say without much thought but with a reassuring smile, “Yes, you have studied very hard and I am sure you will do well in your exams.”. Honestly, that statement was like a quick recharge for my mind. It's just about our mother being there for us when we need her around.

That’s exactly what I have tried to be for my older son this year. I will not take any credit from him about planning his study schedules. He has done it well and been quite sincere throughout this academic year. I have only been there to eavesdrop on some of those “late night online study meets” to check if it was really about the studies or some blue pill red pill purple pill discussions ;)

I have been there for that quick break of basketball on the terrace, one v one or two v one, when I kept telling the boys how our girls team used to lose terribly at the inter school basketball matches and they exchanged smiles, refusing to believe that their mother was on the inter school basketball team!

I’ve been there for those loving hummus and zaatar sandwiches and oats with fruit, accompanied by my motherly pep talk. For the fun of wall tennis on windy evenings, avoiding hitting too hard or else the ball will keep going into the neighbour’s garden. Or to become the bowler, when one is batting and the fielder when both of them are fighting over who gets to bat... and so on.

On the side, I have been doing some freelance landscape work, done lots of writing and art. On all the important milestones, I have tried my best to keep myself available for my children just like my mother used to.

The graduation celebration was a great success. It's a 'proud parent' feeling to watch our almost 16year old son walk in the graduation gown to collect his certificate. 

My much fancied double graduation(grade 10 for Ary and grade 5 for Aby) finally happened this year! We had missed one such opportunity back in 2021 when everything was online. But this is just the beginning. An important milestone, amongst many more to come.

Finally, since the exams and celebrations are over, we definitely need to take “phew” breaks this summer to recharge from the past few months! Phew!

Dear Arhaant,

Happy 16th Birthday! This is the first year when there are no exams on your birthday! The football season is here, like it is every four years around your birthday. Watching a football game with friends would be an ideal celebration! Keep swimming, drawing , playing whichever sport that is your favourite this year! Please don't overdo the weights! Yoga is equally important. Everything else after 18 ;)

And...most important - If you have to choose between being right and being kind, choose kind. (I know you want to choose right ;)

The IKEA style carrot cinnamon cake is on my to do list. Of course, mine will have finger millet flour and lots of other healthy things you may not always want ;)

Amma 

:: Arhaant at 16 :: 

:: Yr 11 Graduation ::

 

What's a Poem?

When a grey cloudy roaring sky,
suddenly turns crisp blue
and whistles with the wind,
a poem is born…

When you were all prepared
for a rough hectic day ahead,
but it turned out to be
much softer and sunnier instead.

A poem is that little moment
tucked between two happy thoughts.
It's the stamp of time just when
a fluid darkness spills into dawn.

When you couldn't sleep all night,
it's the blanket of warmth,
that feels like a full deep slumber,
with a dream, minutes before you woke up.

A poem is the correct shade of pink,
slightly brighter and richer,
than your natural lip colour,
which makes your smile better than usual.

When you remember old days,
and quietly nod to yourself…
Someone looks back from the mirror,
reassuring, you've come a long way.

A poem is hidden
in a sleepy snail shell,
waiting to be picked up on a rainy day,
by muddy little playful fingers.

It's the song that shadows write
on blank sunny white walls,
listening to the leaves and birds,
as they turn it into a mural.

A poem is a doodle in my diary,
scribbled somewhere on idle pages,
amidst awkward pauses of work meetings,
for a quick refresh of my mind.

Between the last bronze of the sun
and the first pearl drop of the moon,
there is always a poem,
peeping in and out along silver linings.

:: This poem was written for poetry reading events and workshops for school children, lined up for this summer at the School Book Fairs, that I was supposed to be a part of.  I wanted to teach the children, how a collection of beautiful thoughts can become a poem! Unfortunately, because of the current situation of the world, schools are on distance learning and these sessions got cancelled.  This poem remains in my mind as a bouquet of quietly beautiful things, to refresh the mind and bring back some positivity . 

This poem is inspired by the question in the picture book "This is a Poem That Heals Fish" by Jean-Pierre Simeon", translated into English by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. I got a glimpse of the book on 'the marginalian' by Maria Popova :: 

Decade Accolade

(For Abhiir at 10)

The table tennis coach came to me and said about Abhiir, “He has the feeling for the game. Looks like he got it from his mother…” I recalled a similar incident when the old Egyptian football coach had said to Kris, “This boy will make you proud”

The summer of 2025 has been more of me and Abhiir, being there for each other! While Kris had gone for his biking tour and Arhaant for his teenage summer camps, it was just me and Abhiir together — We went for the table tennis tournament, where I cheered so loudly that everyone thought I was his coach ! We watched Masterchef Australia, played LEGO, cycled on the new track and of course made some crafty things indoors in the ‘45 degree afternoons’.

Dear Abhiir,

At ten, what I am most proud about, is that you can now make your own fried egg independently, without any help. I am also very happy to see these awesome Cobra Kai cards that you made, taking inspiration from the football and transformer cards. You just came up with the idea and completed all 20-25 cards, front and back, tirelessly and consistently. That's remarkable!

I liked it when you went to Baba’s office for some half days of “ pretend internship” , where you sat on an empty office desk, and completed your cards. You took your bag, lunch box, Harry Potter book to read and headphones. It was another great idea, because I know, deep down, you envied the teenage summer camps that Arhaant got this time and you didn't!

Be this fearless boy, you always are — The class monitor, student councillor, lead singer, head boy material ;) and gadget guru with amazing typing speed! Keep making your own sandwiches, fried egg and cucumber salad. Take the lead when Arhaant is feeling moody and hesitant ;)

And I know, you would rather have a new football jersey and a party for your birthday, than a trip that even all of us get ;) I won't be able to say from now on that the spring break trip itself is your birthday present ;)

Thank you for patiently collecting all our favourite songs for my car playlist. I can totally count on you for such things. I am always amused , watching your fights with enemies from your imaginary world and your accented commentary for imaginary matches that you play in the living room with famous footballers! This kind of imaginative pretend play is the best!

But please, watch your screen time and do your warm up and stretching exercises. Ten year olds with older siblings are always more mature these days and know a bit too much for their age! I still do need to keep a close watch on you!

Keep up your main character energy ;)

Love, Amma

:: Cobra Kai Cards by Abhiir ::

Then and Now

(For Arhaant at 15)

I still remember that day, when Arhaant was three. I had gone to his nursery to watch his concert. I reached slightly late after all the parents were already seated. He saw me, stood up and shouted with joy, “Look! That's MY Amma!”

And then, I’m here today…watching Arhaant prepare for his group project to be presented in front of the parents. He is wearing a formal blue shirt and has a slight hint of a mustache under a 15 year old grown up glance. He gives me a "Don't look at me like that” kind of expression. I totally get it!

But I'm just feeling so elated, looking at my tall, mature son, speaking in a rich baritone, confidently.

Dear Arhaant,

Don't look back …look forward to a new exciting life!

I will always wait with longing teary eyes to note down your achievements. At fifteen, I am so happy to see you speak so well in front of a crowd. This summer you have participated in many summer camps of team building, group projects, transformative journalism, to name a few. I am most relieved about the fact that you have started taking the public bus and begun your journey towards full independence.

It was another weepy moment for me to see you get on the Abu Dhabi City bus that morning, one hour early, responsibly, to reach your class on time. Such habits will take you a long way.

I want you to keep drawing, painting more and more, like you do. Keep up the fitness regime and body building that you are so interested in these days. Keep reading and studying hard, especially for this important academic year. I know I can always count on you for all those intellectual conversations.

As I write this, I realise, I am actually wearing your old tee! 15-16 years from the boys section! You did not fit into it even for a few months! You are taller than me, your shoe size is much larger and your biceps much thicker than mine :)

This journey from the car seat to the front seat will soon turn into you being in the driver’s seat, with me in the back seat perhaps! For me, this is time travel ! Delusional? Or Delulu ;)

:: Arhaant at 15 :: 

:: Arhaant at 3 ::

Also - Ran

With little chubby legs
when you toddled your way around
exploring exciting new routes,
I ‘also-ran’ behind you…
only to keep you safe.

When you waited, confused
on unknown turns,
I held your tiny hands,
‘also-ran’ with you,
helped you choose...

My role has been to guide you,
show you the right direction.
Not to pave the way for you,
but to see you take the lead,
while I also-run…

Now both of you
are running ahead of me,
fast and independent.
I also-run, then wait and watch, proudly,
your silhouettes against the sun…

You need to find your inner calling
and build your own road when needed.
Just once in a while, turn back and look out for me…
perhaps a bit slower now, your mum,
‘also-running’, with one eye on your finish-line!

#tomyteenageson #growingupboys  #rolereversal #mumgetsolder 

:: This poem is especially to my teenage son, who is turning 14 in a few days...::

Mother's Recipe #1

Cilantro Bites

My mother would have been 65 today. To continue a celebration of her heavenly birthdays here on earth, today I open the chapter to my mother's recipes to be tried out this year.

My sister and I often talk about what we miss the most from our mother. It’s the food she cooked so effortlessly! As a little girl, I used to sit in my mother’s lap and take a close look at her hands. Her hands always told me stories of garlic and coriander! Her fingers had some magic…of knowing how much of any ingredient goes into a recipe. She never followed any recipe books or cooking shows. Whatever she cooked used to be something learnt from her mother and later from my great grandmother, with a touch of her own innovation.

I used to help her in the kitchen. She would say, “Let me do my quick freestyle cooking. You can finish the dish with your artistic plating.” We made a great team!

I want to keep her legacy alive, to seek her blessings in what I do and to pass on her recipes to the next generation, so that my boys continue to remember her through food. Hence as a part of my new year resolutions, I have decided to recreate twelve of my mother’s simple recipes, one for each month.

I begin this month with one of her favourites and mine - “Cilantro Bites" or "Kothimbir Wadi”. This is a savoury snack made with coriander/cilantro, gram flour and sesame seeds. The hero ingredient here is coriander, which is generally used  as a garnish in most dishes.

Ingredients: (Amounts are from experience and intuition :)

• Coriander – 1 full fresh bunch
• Gram flour - 2-3 tablespoons per batch
• Ginger - one blob
• Garlic - 4-5 cloves
• Peanuts - a handful
• Green chilly - 2 maybe
• Sesame seeds - 2 teaspoons
• Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Asafetida - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - less is more!

Freestyle method :

• Wash the fresh coriander under running water and chop it finely. Avoid thick stems.
• Mix sieved gram flour and water to form a smooth batter of dosa consistency and add the chopped coriander to it.
• Roast the peanuts and sesame seeds separately on a dry pan on the side.
• Grind a mixture of ginger, garlic, green chilly and the roasted peanuts.
• Add the mixture to the batter along with coriander powder, turmeric, asafetida and the roasted sesame seeds.
• Mix well to an uttappam consistency.
• Steam it on a double boiler for about 20minutes.
• Allow the coriander “cake” to cool.
• Cut into bite sized squares. Alternatively, it can be rolled into cylinders for steaming and then cut into round pieces.
• Pan fry until golden brown.
• Optionally, season with curry leaves, grated coconut.
• Keep one batch aside for that neat 'MasterChef- style plating' and the perfect Instagram shot.
• Allow the other batch to be gobbled up in minutes by the boys!

:: Cilantro Bites ::

Splendid Seven

:: A Natural Eco-friendly Sustainable Celebration ::

:: Homemade Spiced Chocolate-Strawberry Cake ::

:: Handwritten Invite ::

:: Natural Sustainable Gift Wrapping ::

:: Reusable Eco - Friendly Giveaways ::

Let Go

On the edge of wild woods,

mother tigress waits in pain,

recalling a learning journey, shared.

Little zealous eyes tell her, 

the cubs have grown,

ready to test new skills alone.

To set them free 

with their own kind,

it's time, she knows.

On the edge of wild woods,

mother tigress waits in pain,

for them to look back, at least once.

Far, fast, deep into the jungle,

her lonely gaze 

follows them in vain.

:: As the schools have finally started, I realize, once again, its the vulnerable mother in me, who still cannot let go! The past six months of homeschool and home life have created an intimate bond between me and my children, that has tied us together in a journey of learning, taking us back to the 'consciousness of union', much similar to the world in my womb.  Now, I must let them go and teach myself to be independent all over again...::

Spaces in our Togetherness

The past three months have been far different than any other phase, perhaps in everyone's lives so far. Who would have thought, we would not be able to step out of our houses for the longest period of time! Somewhere down the line, we had taken our freedom for granted.

To an extent, I can compare these unprecedented months with my two maternity breaks, when motherhood became the most important role I had to play! But this time I got a chance to home-school my two boys. While there are some benefits of teaching our own children, making sure they have understood the concepts well, it can never be the same as going to school with friends and having their own ‘special secret space’ in their world which stays unknown to parents. 

With ‘work from home’ option, as I began sitting with my laptop by my bedroom window early in the mornings, shifting to the living room past noon and then by the sofa past midnight, rearranging all my priorities to be in tune with my children's’ time tables, they often got a sneak peek into my work life as well. My older son, who says he wants to be an Architect, often came by my computer screen, looking at the high profile villa landscapes designed by me, wishing for a helipad and jacuzzi! 

And in return, I got deeply involved in my children's’ school world and became a student with them! From phonics, finger spaces and story maps on one side to fractions, decimal points and figures of speech on the other! With my love for art and craft projects, poetry and essays, I got a chance to vent my creative juices and unknowingly poured them into my children’s impressionable brains! Amidst days of chaotic multitasking, I sometimes found peaceful rewarding moments to sit back and just look at the improvements I saw in my children each week! 

The most unusual part of ‘work from home’ was having Baba around in the house on most days. We had converted the master bedroom into a meeting room by day, while the kids bedroom and the living room became work and study studios. It was refreshing to have all of us together at home for lunch breaks, tea breaks, a quick game of indoor football for those ‘in between times’ , a session of  P.E with Joe by early evening and then jogging about on the terrace by sunset! I am going to miss these memorable perks of togetherness the most! 

However after all these days of being together, I definitely have missed my own little space in my office, where I often went to dream! That window by my desk, my plants, my sketches, my coffee...the fact that it made me forget the mother in me! I guess somewhere all of us have missed those private spaces of our lives.

The concept of ‘giving space’ has thus become all the more important over these months. Earlier, we had our own secret worlds by day, and then we returned home to our ‘togetherness’ by early evening. This new togetherness has brought us so close that there has been an overlap in each family member’s personal space, making it a shared space! 

“Let there be spaces in our togetherness”, a line from Kahlil Gibran’s poem, is what I found to be the most appropriate in these times. Lets give each other a togetherness that has some spaces where each one is free to drift back and forth into their own worlds. And while we are together, let's enrich these spaces with each other’s differing perspectives on the same. Let us be in the same space and sing our own separate song! This is going to be the ‘new normal’! 

With this thought, I look forward to the vacation. Must admit, I am a bit worried about a summer without friends, swimming and visiting grandparents in India! I miss home-school and I miss the teachers who worked so hard with making distance learning so interesting, filling in the gaps which mothers couldn't! Let's hope to maintain in our togetherness, each other’s empty spaces, perhaps filled with something new!  

#covidsummers #lifeinthetimeofcorona #workfromhome

TENtastic

:: Birthday Buddies ::

:: My Double Digit Cake for Mr. TEN ::

:: Carrot Cinnamon for 0 and Naughty Nutty Chocoloaf for 1::

Wishing for the Sunshine

We're wishing for the sunshine,

then its all gonna be fine.

At home, at home, at home,

its all gonna be fine.

I know the sky is grey today,

Lets have breakfast with birds, I say!

Find a way...

to spend the day...

Some music we play!

At home, at home, at home

some music we play.

We're wishing for the sunshine,

then its all gonna be fine.

It will be a bright tomorrow,

his light when we can borrow,

then its all gonna be fine.

At home, at home, at home,

its all gonna be fine.

We're wishing for the sunshine,

then its all gonna be fine.

:: This is our first song, that I have written with my boys, making the most of our "at home times".

My boys say, our band can be called "ONEshine" with "ARYstrings", my older son as the lead singer and guitarist, "BeatboxABY", my younger son, as the second lead singer, their mum, me, "WordgirlNAT", as the songwriter and their dad, as "The Whistler" ::

#athome #dowhatyoulove #oursong

Brother

Count my first two bunny teeth.

Guide my new dance step.

Hold my hand in the dark.

Share the blanket with me.

Wash soap bubbles down my back.

Show me how to stand and pee!

As I fall asleep on the school bus,

lend me your strong shoulder to lean.

Celebrate my first football kick,

at times, letting me win.

Best friend forever, dear big brother,

clap the loudest, when I boast about

each and everything you have taught me!

::On behalf of my younger son, to my older son---his best big brother! 

My younger son, Abhiir said to me that day, "How come you and Baba don't live with your sister and brother now? I want to live with my big brother Arhaant forever. Till I am old. Thus I wrote this poem --- from him, to his big brother ::

Food for the Soul

:: Veggie Rice with Salad ::

:: Mum-Made Mini Pizzas (Before) ::

:: Mum-Made Mini Pizzas (After) ::

On Cloud 9!

Dear Arhaant,

Each year I end up questioning how many years have gone by since you were born! I keep telling you to behave like a grown up. But frankly, even I do not know what that means! Are you really nine years old!

Each birthday gives me an enjoyable opportunity to look back at the year and choose some moments. My favorite one this year was that winter morning, when both of us went to Mushrif Park for an “Artsy Picnic” with a basket full of drawing material, sketch books, colors, reading books, picnic mat and some snacks. I really love the fact that you enjoy doing these things, that too, with your mother! We spent a good three hours at the park, with the lofty clouds drifting over us, in the company of birds and butterflies and the sound of the water cascade. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to do this activity with!

Another proud moment for me was to see you write the biography of Picasso and specially to see how you drew Picasso’s portrait for your school assignment. I think its heartening to know that you have a keen interest in the lives of these great artists from a young age.

When I was carrying you in my womb, I had always imagined you as a curly haired, lean boy with artistic fingers. And as years pass by, I can see you fitting into that image from my mind. Between you and Abhiir, you seem to be the shy, artistic, introvert type while he seems to be the strong, friendly, extrovert type. Just be yourself. Both of you. And be proud to be yourself. Each of us has a unique gift. All we must do is to nurture that gift and let it bloom within us, shaping our character.

I would want you to continue writing your diary, with lots of interesting and detailed sketches. I want you to practice skating. I think it will compliment your personality well. I can almost see you as a teenager, with loose ‘antifit’ clothes, chewing gum, curly wild hair, chiseled face and an intellectual look, carrying a sketch book and a skateboard wherever you go, humming your favorite ‘Cold Play tracks’!

I loved the birthday card you made for me with the little pictures of the incidents from our lives. I enjoyed helping you with your robot project --- the RecycleBOT 3000! I love being your “Google Amma” and am glad to answer your questions.

I loved, how enthusiastically you had packed the specially colour coordinated little goody bags as return gifts for Abhiir's birthday! You sure are my creative partner! 

I thoroughly enjoyed our road-trips this year. To Oman and through UAE, with our special mixed playlist. I was so happy to see yours and Abhiir's love for cats on the streets of Krabi. On that last evening in Thailand, under that huge Gulmohar tree, playing with the street cats, I suddenly realized, you have really grown up!

Let life be full of awesome family trips, of lakes full of lotus, desert camping under the “sky full of stars” , cozy tents, crazy jumps in the swimming pool, our summer noon dancing sessions and playing ‘Lego’ on Friday mornings after a delicious homemade breakfast of  dosas and omelettes!

Happy 9th Birthday Dear Son!

Love, 

Amma

Fantastic Mr.Four

:: Abhiir’s Interview at 4::

Me: Hi Abhiir. How old are you today?

Him: I am four. I’m suuuuuper big now!

Me: Tell me who’s your best friend at nursery?

Him: Eamon. He is from Ireland. You know that day what happened! Eamon and me were playing football and Alia pushed us! She always pushes us!Super naughty girl!

Me: Come on Abhiir. Alia is a nice girl. Tell me who are your other friends?

Him: Mayed, Bakhit, Saleem and Ece. Aaaaand Ali.

Me: Whats your favourite sport?

Him: Football. I like to play football with Baba and Arhaant. Me and Baba on one side and Arhaant on the other side. The score is love eight. I am love. Because Arhaant is eight.

Me: Hahaha. That’s sweet. What is your favourite food?

Him: Chicken. And Mango! Its super yummy. And jam sandwich. Amma can you cut the sandwich in moraba shape?

Me: Okay. For your snack tomorrow. Now can you sing a song?

Him: Should I sing the crocodile French song ? Okay I’ll sing an English song. I’m bringing home my baby bumblebee. Won’t your mummy be surprised by me. I’m bringing home my baby bumble bee….

Me: What happened to your chin?

Him: You know that day. That day, I fell down. I was tackling Khalifa and Ayaan.

Me : Khalifa and Ayaan? They are Arhaants friends!

Him: No. Khalifa and Ayaan are in my class. I was tackling them. Then I passed the ball to Eamon. Then Alia came. She pushed all of us. I fell down and I got hurt on my chin. (Mischievous glint in his eyes and a naughty smile)

Me: Abhiir! Are you making up stories again?

Him: Nooooo. Alia pushed me. Really!

Me : Do you like cats?

Him: I love cats. Amma, can we get a puppy and a kitten? Can they be our pets? I want to call them Bajirao and Mastani! Bajirao is the boy puppy and he will sleep with Arhaant. Mastani is the girl kitten and she will sleep in my bed! Okay Amma? That'll be super fun!

Me: When you become eight years old like Arhaant, we can get a pet okay?

Him: Ya Boy! So I will be eight . That time, that time Arhaant will be a teenager! Ya Boy!

Me: Now you are four. Are you still going to carry your Tutu everywhere? (Tutu:cuddly blanket)

Him: Ummmm. Ok. I’ll only sleep with Tutu. I’ll kiss him in the night. Okay?

Now I want to play with Lloyd and Thanos. Phoof. Shoo. Bang. Rise my friend… Rise….(play noises)

Me: Abhiir, should I drop you to the nursery tomorrow? Or you want Baba to drop you?

Him: I want Baba to drop me. When you drop me, I will cry! (makes a pouty fake crying face)

I want Amma to pick me! (smiles)